A century of service at Bannockburn

The brigade was born out of a need in the community for an organised fire service in 1925 following a community meeting led by Councillor Samuel Donald Gillett and Constable Ainsworth, who were to become the first president and secretary.   

The brigade quickly purchased fire-fighting equipment, such as fire beaters, tanks, and a pump and was active almost immediately due to the ongoing fire season. 

The brigade grew steadily in both membership and equipment and their early work included responding to major fires, like the Bannockburn Wood Reserve fire in 1927 and the Pound paddock fire in 1931. 

The brigade’s first fire truck, an ex-Lend Lease Chevy, was often difficult to start, and members would either hotwire it or roll-start it by pushing it down High Street. 

In the early days, without radio or telephone communications, organising responses to fires was difficult and key figures like the postmaster, Fred Matthews, and the Moreillon family played vital roles in coordinating efforts.  

During the war years from 1939 to 1945, many men from the district were away fighting overseas or otherwise committed to military duties and brigade numbers on the ground were limited.  

However, this did not stop the brigade from still stoically serving their community. 

In the early days of the brigade there was no station, equipment and trucks were stored on the properties and in sheds of members. Eventually, in the 50s, work began on the first Bannockburn fire station.  

The CFA purchased land for the station in January 1955, and the brigade moved into their new building by October 1955. The station initially had a tin shed with swing doors. 

By 1962, the station had a concrete floor and plans for a siren and fence were underway.  

Over their 100-year history the brigade has been involved in many major incidents like the Ash Wednesday fires in 1983. 

Bannockburn suffered its greatest losses from fire in the devastating fires of the 8th of January 1969. There were a number of horrendous fires on that day, including the Lara fire that took 10 lives.  

The brigade has also been involved in many strike teams where members have been deployed to help in major events like Black Saturday, the 2019/2020 bushfire season, and the Echuca floods in 2021/2022.  

In 1995, the new Bannockburn Emergency Services Facility opened on the site of the old fire station. The development began in 1991 with a proposal to combine the CFA and SES services in a shared facility. 

The Bannockburn brigade has a long history and over the years has gone from a rural brigade, predominately made up of farmers, to a semi-rural brigade which is now full of young families.  

To celebrate a century of service the brigade has events dotted throughout the year to gather both old and new members together with the community.  

One of the major events was their community day and torchlight parade on Saturday 5 April. 

During the day the station was open with the community coming out to explore the trucks, historical displays and food.  

In the evening members both past and present marched alongside Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, and SES down Milton Street in a torchlight parade.  

Over 20 trucks from the Bannockburn and surrounding brigades were also a part of the procession.  

Captain of Bannockburn Brigade Shannon Robinson said she was extremely proud to be captain at this special moment in history.  

“We are a great bunch of people, and it was fun marching, with our members side by side, it was a very proud moment,” she said.  

“We might have flashy new trucks but at our core we are still the same, community minded people who just want to do what they can.” 

Brigade member and Community Safety Officer Dale Smith has been leading a dedicated committee who have been working tirelessly on celebrations for the 100-year milestone. 

“Community members got together 100 years ago and decided there was an issue and set about fixing it and that’s why we have the brigade we do today,” he said.  

“The events throughout the year but particularly the torchlight parade and community celebration day are a way for all of us, past, present, and community to reflect on this amazing history.”